WO2003005715A1

WO2003005715A1 - Image recorder

Info

Publication number: WO2003005715A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/005029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Junya Kaku
Original assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-07-04
Filing date: 2002-05-23
Publication date: 2003-01-16
Also published as: CN1256844C; KR20040013100A; JP3643793B2; CN1522534A; US20040196388A1; US7567275B2; JP2003018537A

Abstract

A digital camera (10) includes an SDRAM (26). When 40 frames of image signal is stored in the SDRAM (26), a merged file containing the 40-frame image signal is created in a data area of a magneto-optical disk (36), and FAT information on the merged file is written in an FAT area of the magneto-optical disk (36). When a predetermined condition is met, the image data in the merged file is read one frame by one, and an image file containing the read image data is created in the data area of the magneto-optical disk (36). The FAT information on the image file is written in the FAT area of the magneto-optical disk (36). The operation is repeated 40 times, and thereafter the merged file is deleted.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus which is applied to, for example, a digital camera and records an image signal on a recording medium via a buffer memory. Conventional technology

In the digital camera, when the continuous shooting mode (continuous shooting mode) is selected, the subject is shot at a rate of, for example, once every 1/15 second, and the shot image signal is stored in the buffer memory. When a predetermined number of image capturing operations are completed, a process of recording a plurality of image signals stored in the buffer memory is performed. Specifically, a plurality of image files individually including a plurality of image signals are formed in the data area of the recording medium, and file management information for individually managing the plurality of image files is written in the management area of the recording medium. It is. However, writing of new image signals to the buffer memory is prohibited during the recording process. If the recording medium is a disk recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk, it may take about 2 seconds to record one image signal. Then, when the number of continuous shootings is 40, it takes about 80 seconds from when the 40 image signals are stored in the buffer memory to when the next shooting is possible.

The longest time in the recording process is the process of creating file management information. This is because the data area and the file management area are separately formed, and a head seek from the data management area to the file management area is required. Summary of the Invention

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel image recording device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of quickly releasing a buffer memory.

The image recording device according to the invention comprises: File creation means for creating a first file containing M (M≥2) image signals in a data area of a recording medium; first management information for creating first management information for managing the first file Creating means; reading means for reading N (N <M) image signals from the first file at a time based on the first management information when predetermined conditions are satisfied; reading N image signals read by the reading means; A second file creating means for creating a second file including the second file in the data area; and a second management information creating means for creating second file management information for managing the second file in the management area of the recording medium.

First, a first file containing M (M≥2) image signals stored in a buffer memory is created in a data area of a recording medium by a first file creating means, and a first file for managing the first file is created. Management information is created by the first management information creation means. The reading means reads N (N <M) image signals from the first file based on the first management information when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The second file including the read N image signals is created in the data area of the recording medium by the second file creating means, and the second file management information for managing the second file is created by the second file management information creating means. Is created in the management area of the recording medium.

The number of image signals included in the first file is larger than the number of image signals included in the second file. In other words, the number of the first file is smaller than the number of the second file. On the other hand, the time required to create management information increases as the number of files increases. Thus, the time for creating the first file in the data area and creating the first management information is shorter than the time for creating the second file in the data area and creating the second management information in the management area. It can be seen that the buffer memory can be quickly released.

When the recording medium is detachable, it is preferable that the first file management information creating means creates the first file management information in a management area of the recording medium. Thus, the second file can be appropriately created even when the recording on the recording medium is performed by another device and thereafter the recording medium is mounted on the image recording device of the present invention.

When the second file management information is created each time the second file is created once, if it is determined whether the predetermined condition is satisfied each time the second file management information is created, the second file management information is created. Interruption of file creation Z restart is possible. This increases the flexibility S. When the image signal is fetched into the buffer memory when the fetch instruction is received, if the condition that the fetch instruction is not received is included in the predetermined condition, the response characteristic to the fetch instruction is improved.

If M image signals are captured in response to the capture instruction, the captured image signals can be contained in one first image file, and the handling of the image signals becomes easy.

When a disk recording medium in which the data area and the management area are divided in the radial direction is used, recording is performed by a movable recording member that moves between the data area and the management area. In such a case, the time required for creating the second file and the second management information is further increased, and the effect of the present invention is remarkably exhibited.

The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a mapping state of the SDRAM; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing an example of a structure of a recording surface of a magneto-optical disk; FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing an example of an instruction list. ;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing one example of a hierarchical structure of a directory;

Fig. 6 (A) is an illustrative view showing an example of a combined file;

FIG. 6 (B) is an illustrative view showing one example of a plurality of divided image files; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the CPU when performing a continuous photographing process;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the CPU when performing the continuous photographing process;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the CPU when performing the continuous shooting processing;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU when performing the combined file recording process; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the CPU when performing the file division processing;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the CPU when performing the file division processing; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the CPU when performing the file division processing. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes an image sensor 12. A color filter (not shown) is mounted on the front surface of the image sensor 12, and a light image of a subject enters the image sensor 12 via the color filter.

When the power switch 46 is turned on, the system controller 40 supplies battery power (not shown) to the entire system and provides a corresponding status signal to the CPU 38. The CPU 38 instructs a TG (Timing Generator) 14 to perform photographing in accordance with a frame rate of 15 fps, for example, and gives a predetermined processing instruction to the signal processing circuit 22 and the video encoder 28.

The TG 14 generates a timing signal based on a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal output from an SG (Signal Generator) 16 and drives the image sensor 12 by a raster scan method. A camera signal (charge) is output from the image sensor 12 at a rate of one frame every 115 seconds. The output camera signal passes through the CDS / AGC circuit 18 and the A / D converter 20 and is input to the signal processing circuit 22 as digital camera data.

The signal processing circuit 22 performs processing such as color separation, white balance adjustment, and YUV conversion on the input camera data to generate a YUV data (display image data), and processes the generated display image data. This is given to the memory control circuit 24. The display image data is written into the display image data area 26a shown in FIG. 2 by the memory control circuit 24.

The video encoder 28 reads out the display image data from the display image data area 26a through the memory control circuit 24, and encodes the read display image data into a composite image signal. The encoded composite image signal is As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) of the subject is displayed on the monitor 30.

When the shirt tapo button 42 is operated in a state where the continuous shooting mode (continuous shooting mode) is selected by the menu key 44, a status signal indicating that the continuous shooting operation has been performed is given from the system controller 40 to the CPU 38. The CPU 38 instructs the TG 14 to perform, for example, 40 exposures after adjusting shooting conditions such as an exposure light amount and a white balance. The TG 14 performs a total of 40 exposures at a rate of once per 1Z15 seconds, and reads the camera signal obtained by each exposure from the image sensor 12. The read camera signal of each frame is converted into display image data in the same manner as described above, and the converted display image data is stored in the display image data area 26a of the SDRAM 26 by the memory control circuit 24.

The CPU 38 gives a compression instruction to the JPEG codec 32 every time one frame of camera signal is read. The JPEG codec 32 reads display image data from the display image area 26a through the memory control circuit 24, and applies JPEG compression to the read display image data. The generated compressed image data, that is, JPEG data, is written into the JPEG data area 26 b of the SDRAM 26 by the memory control circuit 24.

The CPU 38 further creates additional data by itself each time one frame of JPEG compression is performed. The additional data includes file path information used in a file division process described later and shooting condition information used as header data of the divided image file. The created additional data is provided to the SDRAM 26 through the memory control circuit 24, and is written in the additional data area shown in FIG. The shooting condition information includes the shirt speed and aperture during shooting, the resolution of the shot image, the Q factor related to the JPEG compression ratio, and the JPEG data size.

At the end of 40 exposures, 40 compressions, and 40 additional data creations, the SDRAM 26 contains JPEG data 0-39 and additional data 0-39 as shown in Figure 2. Is stored. Note that JPEG data for 40 frames and additional data have been added since the exposure of the image sensor 12 started in response to the continuous shooting operation. Processing until data is secured in the SDRAM 26 is defined as continuous shooting processing. The CPU 38 is equipped with a real-time 〇S such as μi TRON, and the combined file recording process for recording the combined file containing JPEG data 0 to 39 and additional data 0 to 39 on the magneto-optical disk 36 is continuous. This is performed in parallel with the photographing process. The magneto-optical disk 36 is a removable and non-volatile disk recording medium. On the recording surface, a FAT (File Allocation Table) area 36a, a root directory area 36b, and a data area 36c are formed as shown in FIG. Is done. A plurality of free clusters (clusters: unit recording areas) are discretely distributed in the data area 36c, and the FAT information indicating the link state of the class in which data has already been written, that is, the write class, is written in the FAT area 36a. Is written. A directory entry is written in the root directory area 36b.

The CPU 38 outputs a predetermined access request to the disk drive 34 in the combined file recording process. The disk controller 34a controls the magnetic head 34b and the optical pickup 34c to access the magneto-optical disk 36 in a manner according to the access request. Here, the CPU 38 uses an instruction list 38a as shown in FIG. 4 so that the processing is smoothly performed between the continuous shooting processing and the combined file recording processing.

When the shirt button 42 is pressed, the CPU 38 instructs commands and parameters corresponding to “recording start”, “folder creation”, “file creation”, and “file open” respectively. Set to a. The execution of "recording process" starts the combined file recording process, and the execution of "create folder" creates a new continuous shooting folder in the data area 36c shown in FIG. Also, by executing "Create file", a combined file is created in the lower layer of the new continuous shooting folder. By executing "File open", a handle number for specifying the new combined file is created.

Each time one frame of JPEG data is stored in the SDRAM 26, "write file" for additional data and "write file" for JPEG data are set in the instruction list 38a. Each "write to file" has the handle number of the combined file as a parameter, additional data and JPEG data. Is stored in the binding file. Since both JPEG data and additional data exist for 40 frames, a total of 80 "write files" are set in the instruction list 38a. When all the "write files" are executed, the combined file shown in Fig. 6 (A) is obtained.

When the creation of the combined file is completed, "file close" and "recording end" are set in the instruction list 38a. By executing the "file close", the FAT information written in the FAT area 36a and the size information written in the root directory area 36b are updated. In other words, the FAT information is updated so that a link is formed in the writing area (cluster) of the combined file created this time, and the size information of the subdirectory to which the combined file belongs is updated. The combined file recording process is terminated by executing “end recording process”.

The data area 36c of the magneto-optical disk 36 has a directory structure as shown in FIG. Several subdirectories under the root directory "DCIM"

"* * * SANYO" (* * *: 3-digit directory number starting from 100) is formed, and the continuous shooting folder "SEQX XXX" (XXXX: starting from 00001) is located under any subdirectory. 4 digit folder number) is formed. The continuous shooting folder is newly created under the currently selected subdirectory, and the combined file is created under the continuous shooting folder. The newly created continuous shooting folder is assigned the folder number following the folder number of the latest continuous shooting folder belonging to the same subdirectory. On the other hand, the file name of the join file is always

It will be "SEQT0000.DAT".

Therefore, the subdirectory selected when continuous shooting is performed is

In “102SANYO”, if the latest continuous shooting folder under the subdirectory is “SEQ0003”, a continuous shooting folder “SEQ0004” is newly created in response to the continuous shooting operation, and A combined file "SEQT0000.DAT" is created under the folder.

According to FIG. 5, the combined file "SEQT0000.DAT" is stored in the sequential shooting folders "SEQ0001" and "SEQ0002" formed in the lower hierarchy of the subdirectory "102SANYO". Burst shots formed in layers A plurality of image files "SEQ0301.JPG", "SEQ0302.JPG" ... are stored in the folder "SEQ0003". This is because the splitting process of the combined files stored in the continuous shooting folder "SEQ0003" has been completed, but the splitting process of the combined files stored in the continuous shooting folders "SEQ0001" and "SEQ0002" has not been completed yet. Means that. In the continuous shooting folder "SEQ0001" formed under the subdirectory "101SANYO", a combined file "SEQ0000.DAT" and a plurality of image files "SEQ0101.JPG", "SEQ0102.JPG" ... are stored. However, this means that another subdirectory is selected and a continuous shooting operation is performed during the file division processing, and the file division processing is not completed.

The file division process is executed by the CPU 38 when the JPEG data based on the continuous shooting does not exist in the SDRAM 26 and the continuous shooting operation is not performed. In this case, the instruction list 38a is not used. First, the latest sequential shooting folder is detected from the currently selected subdirectory, and the combined file stored in the detected continuous shooting folder is opened. Next, file path information is read from the opened combined file, and a new image file is created based on the read file path information. The image file is created at the same level as the merged file from which the file path information was read.

When a new image file is created, shooting condition information and JPEG data related to the file path information are read from the combined file. Subsequently, the JPEG header including the read shooting condition information and the read JPEG data are stored in a new image file. When the storage process for JPEG data is completed, the new image file is closed. That is, the FAT information in the FAT area 36a is updated so that a link is formed in the class where the new image file is written, and the size information of the subdirectory to which the new image file belongs (root directory area 36b Is updated. Creation of such a new image file The Z-close process is repeated 40 times for the connected file of interest, thereby obtaining 40 image files as shown in FIG. 6 (B). The merged file that has been subjected to the file splitting process is deleted thereafter. With the deletion, the size information of the subdirectory written in the root directory area 36 b is updated. Each time a new image file is closed, the presence or absence of a continuous shooting operation is determined, and if there is a continuous shooting operation, the file division process is interrupted. The interrupted file division processing is restarted after the combined file is created based on the continuous shooting operation.

The FAT area 36a, the root directory area 36b, and the data area 36c are formed by being divided in the radial direction of the magneto-optical disk 36, and are used to update the FAT information and the size information. The magnetic head 34 b and the optical pickup 34 c are moved from the evening area 36 c to the FAT area 36 a, and the fc magnetic head 34 b and the optical pickup 34 It is necessary to move c to the FAT area 36a and the root directory area 36b. In this embodiment, when a continuous shooting operation is performed, a combined file is first created in the data area 36c of the magneto-optical disk 36, and the FAT information of the FAT area 36a and the root directory area 36 are created. The size information of b is updated only once. For this reason, the JPEG data area 26b and the additional data area 26c of the SDRAM 26 can be quickly opened, and the response characteristics of the continuous shooting operation can be improved.

When performing continuous shooting, the flow charts shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, that is, the control programs corresponding to steps S1 to S59 are executed by the CPU 38, and when recording the combined file, FIG. 10 is used. When the control program corresponding to steps S61 to S85 is executed by the CPU 38, and the combined file is divided, the flow chart shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, ie, step S91 The control program corresponding to S147 is executed by the CPU38. Note that these control programs are stored in ROM48.

First, referring to FIG. 7, in step S1, a through image display process is performed. Specifically, a shooting command is given to TG 14 and a processing command is given to signal processing circuit 22 and video encoder 28. As a result, a through image is displayed on the monitor 30. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the shirt button 42 has been operated. If YES, the flag SUSPEND is set in step S5. In step S7, the state of the flag REC-ENA is determined. If the flag is set, the process proceeds to step S9.

The setting of the flag SUSPEND requests that the file splitting process be interrupted. Yes, the reset state permits the continuation of the file division process. flag

SUSPEND set Z reset is switched by continuous shooting processing. The setting state of the flag REC-ENA permits continuous shooting processing, and the reset state disables continuous shooting processing. Flag REC—Set / reset of ENA is switched by file division processing.

In step S9, shooting conditions such as shirt speed, aperture, and white balance are adjusted. In step S11, the count value P of the count 38p is reset, and in step S13, "recording start" is set in the instruction list 38a. In step S15, the count value P is incremented, and in step S17, "create folder" is set in the instruction list 38a. In step S19, the folder number of the continuous shooting folder newly created by "create folder" is set as the maximum folder number MaxFldNum. In step S21, the count value P is incremented, and in step S23, "create file" is set in the instruction list 38a. In step S25, the count value P is incremented, and in step S27, "file open" is set in the instruction list 38a.

The count value P corresponds to the list number of the instruction list 38a shown in FIG. Therefore, "recording start", "folder creation", "file creation", and "file open" are individually set in the columns of list numbers "0" to "4".

【table 1】

Type Command c. Lata 1 c. LAMETER 2 C LAMETER 3 Start recording process FILE_STRT Create folder FOLDER — CLEATE Drift 'file Create file FILE-CLEATE Drift' number File File

File. FILE-OPEN Drift 'number file Write file FILE-WRITE Handle number SDRAM address Size' (byte) File cross' FILE-CLOSE Handle number Recording process end FILE-END Referring to Table 1, FILE-STRT is set as a command for "Start recording", and FOLDER-CREATE, drive number and file path are set as commands and parameters 1 and 2 for "Create folder". You. Also,

For "Create file", the command, FILE-CREATE, drive number and file path are set as parameters 1 and 2, and for "Open file", the command, FILE-OPEN, drive number as parameters 1 and 2. And the file path are set.

If the currently selected subdirectory is "102SANYO" and the latest continuous shooting folder formed in the subdirectory is "SEQT0003", the file path set in "Create folder" will be "¥ \ DCIM \\ 102SANYO \\ SEQT0004 " As a result, a continuous shooting folder "SEQT0004" is newly created under the subdirectory "102SANYO". In the following “Create File”, “\\ DCIM \\ 102SANYO \\ SEQT0004 \\ SEQT0000.DAT” is set as the file path. The combined file "SEQT0000.DAT" is created. In addition, when opening the relevant file, the file path set in "File Open" is

"\\ DCIM \\ 102SANYO \\ SEQT0004 \\ SEQT0000.DAT"

In step S29, it is determined whether or not a vertical synchronization signal has been generated. If YES, display image data for one frame is captured in step S31. Specifically, an exposure command is given to TG 14 and a processing command is given to signal processing circuit 22. As a result, display image data is secured in the display image data area 26a of the SD RAM 26. In step S33, a compression instruction is given to the JPEG codec 32. The JPEG codec 32 reads the display image data from the display image data area 26a and applies JPEG compression to the read display image data. JPEG data generated by JPEG compression is stored in the JPEG data area 26 b of the SD RAM 26. In step S35, additional data including 72-byte file path information and 200-byte shooting condition information is created by the CPU 38, and the created additional data is stored in the additional data area 2 of the SD RAM 24. 6 Written to c. The combined file "SEQTO00O.DAT" created in step S109 is If the file exists in the sequential shooting folder "SEQT0004" under the directory "102SANYO", the file path information created in step S35 is "\\ DCIM \\ 102SANYO \\ SEQT0004 \\ SEQT ++++. JPG" (+ +++: 4-digit file number).

In step S37, the count value P is incremented, and in step S39, "write file" for additional data is set in the instruction list 38a. In step S41, the count value P is incremented, and in step S43, "write file" for JPEG data is set in the instruction list 38a. As can be seen from Table 1, regarding "file write", as commands, parameters 1, 2, and 3, FILE-WRITE, handle number (obtained by file open processing described later), SDRAM address and The data size is set. Therefore, in step S39, the start address and data size of the additional data stored in the SD RAM 26 in the immediately preceding step S35 are set as parameters 2 and 3, and in step S43, the immediately preceding step S3 is executed. 33 Based on the processing in 3, the start address and the data size of the JPEG data stored in the SD RAM 26 are set as parameters 2 and 3.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the number of occurrences of the vertical synchronization signal has reached 40, and if it is less than 40, the process returns to step S29. Therefore, a series of processes in steps S31 to S43 is repeated 40 times. In the SD RAM 26, JPEG data 0 to 39 and additional data 0 to 39 are stored in the manner shown in Fig. 2, and a total of 80 "write files" are set in the instruction list 38a. You.

If YES is determined in step S45, the count value P is incremented in step S47, and "file close" is set in the instruction list 38a in step S49. In step S51, the count value P is incremented, and in step S53, "end of recording process" is set in the instruction list 38a. For "file close", FILE-CLOSE is set as a command, and the handle number of the file to be closed is set as parameter 1. Regarding "end of recording process", FILE-END is set as a command.

In step S55, the count value Q of the counter 38Q is determined. In the combined file recording process described later, the command of the list number corresponding to the count value Q is executed. Is performed. The count value Q is incremented each time the command is executed once, and is reset by executing "end of the recording process". Therefore, Q = 0 means that all commands have been processed. In step S55, YES is determined when Q = 0, and the flag SUSPEND is reset in step S57. After that, the file division processing is started in step S59, and the processing returns to step S1.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the combined file recording process, first, in step S61, count value Q is reset, and in step S63, is FILE—STRT set to the list number corresponding to count value Q? Is determined. If NO here, the process returns to step S61, but if YES, the count value Q is incremented in step S65 and the command of the list number corresponding to the incremented count value Q is changed to step S61. 67, S71, S75, S79 and S83.

If the set command is FOLDER-CREATE, Y E S is determined in step S67, and folder creation processing is performed in step S69. Specifically, the disk drive 34 is specified by the drive number set as the parameter 1, and a continuous folder creation request based on the file path set as the parameter 2 is given to the disk drive 34. As a result, a continuous shooting folder is created in the data area 36c of the magneto-optical disk 36. In the above example, a continuous shooting folder "SEQT0004" is created below the subdirectory "102SANYO". When the READY signal is returned from the disk drive 34, it is determined that the creation of the continuous shooting folder has been completed, and the process returns to step S65.

If the set command is FILE-CREATE, YES is determined in step S71, and a file creation process is performed in step S73. That is, the disk drive 34 is specified by the drive number set as the parameter 1, and a file creation request based on the file path set as the parameter 2 is given to the disk drive 34. As a result, a combined file is created in the data area 36c of the magneto-optical disk 36. In the above example, the combined file is located further below the sequential shooting folder "SEQT0004" created under the subdirectory "102SANYO". The file "SEQT0000.DAT" is created. When the READY signal is returned from the disk drive 34, it is considered that the creation of the combined file has been completed, and the process returns to step S65.

If the set command is FILE-OPEN, the process proceeds from step S75 to step S77, whereby the file open process is performed. That is, the disk drive 34 is specified by the drive number set as the parameter 1, and a combined file open request based on the file path set as the parameter 2 is given to the disk drive 34. A READY signal indicating that the combined file has been opened When 34 disks are returned, a handle number to be assigned to the combined file is created. In the above example, the combined folder "SEQT0000.DAT" stored in the sequential shooting folder "SEQT0004" under the subdirectory "102SANYO" is specified, and a handle number to be assigned to the combined file is created. The created handle number is used for "write file" in steps S39 and S43 shown in FIG. Upon completion of the process, the process returns to step S65.

If the set command is FILE-WRITE, the process proceeds from step S79 to step S81, whereby the file writing process is performed. Specifically, the binding file to which data is to be written is specified by the handle number set in parameter 1, and the SDRAM address and data size set in parameters 2 and 3 are used to transfer data from the SD RAM 26 based on the data size. The data is read, and the disk drive 34 is requested to write the read data to the binding file specified by the handle number. The disk drive 34 generates FAT information indicating the link state of the writing class each time data writing for one class is completed. The created FAT information is written to the SDRAM 26 by the CPU 38. Upon completion of the file writing process, the process returns to step S65.

If the set command is FILE-CLOSE, the process proceeds from step S83 to step S85, whereby the file closing process is performed. Specifically, the FAT information in the FAT area 36a is updated by the FAT information stored in the SD RAM 26, and the size of the root directory area 36b is increased by the increase in the file size. Information is updated. Upon completion of the file closing process, the process returns to step S65.

If the set command is FILE-END, NO is determined in step S83 and the process returns to step S61. As a result, the count value Q is reset, and the combined file recording process shifts to a standby state.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the file division processing, first, it is determined in step S91 whether a start instruction has been given. If YES here, the process proceeds to step S93, where the directory number CurDirNum of the currently selected subdirectory is set as the directory number dirnum, and the maximum folder number determined in step S19 in FIG. MaxFldNum is set as the folder number fldnum. In step S95, the flag REC—ENA and the file pointer FP are reset. In the following step S97, a file open request is given to the disk drive 34 to open the combined file specified by the directory number dirnum and the folder number fldnum.

Flag EEC—Reset ENA prohibits continuous shooting processing, and resets file point FP to point to the first address of the combined file. If dimuni = 1 102 and fldmim = 4, it is required to open the combined file "SEQT0000.DAT" stored in the sequential shooting folder "SEQT0004" under the subdirectory "102SANYO".

In step S101, it is determined whether or not the combined file has actually been opened. When the NOT READY signal is returned from the disk drive 34, it is determined that the combined file specified in step S97 does not exist, and the folder number fldnum is decremented in step S101. The updated folder number fldnum is compared with "0" in step S103. If fldnum-0, it is assumed that there are no linked files in the currently selected subdirectory, and the process ends. On the other hand, if fldnum> 0, it is considered that there is a possibility that the combined file exists in the currently selected subdirectory, and the process returns to step S95. Therefore, the processing of steps S95 to S103 is repeated until a combined file is found or the folder number fldnuni becomes "0". When the READY signal is returned from 34, it is considered that the combined file has been opened, and the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the 72-byte data existing after the point point of the file pointer FP is transferred from the magneto-optical disk 36 to the SDRAM 26. Since the combined file has the structure shown in FIG. 6, the file path information 0 included in the additional data 0 is transferred to the SD RAM 26 in the first step S105. When the transfer of the file path information is completed, the point point of the file pointer FP is advanced by 72 bytes in step S107.

In step S109, a request to create a new image file based on the file path information read in the immediately preceding step S105 is given to the disk drive 34. If the read file path information is "\\ DCIM \\ 102SANYO \\ SEQT0004 \\ SEQT0401.JPG", the creation of the image file "SEQT0401.JPG" is requested. Specifically, it is required to create an image file "SEQT0401.JPG" in a layer further below the continuous shooting folder "SEQT0004" created in a layer below the subdirectory "102SANYO".

In step SI 11, the 200-byte data existing after the point of the file pointer FP is transferred from the magneto-optical disk 36 to the SD RAM 26, and in the following step S 113 the file pointer FP The point is advanced by 200 bytes. In the processing of the first step S111, the photographing condition information 0 shown in FIG. 6 is transferred to the SDRAM26. In addition, by performing the first processing in step S113, the file point FP points to the first address of JPPEG data overnight.

In step S115, the JPEG data size "PIC-SIZE" is detected from the shooting condition information transferred in step S111. The detected "PIC-SIZE" indicates the size of the JPEG data existing after the current point of the file pointer FP.

When the size detection is completed, it is determined in step S117 whether a new image file has been created based on the processing in step S109. When a new image file is created, a READY signal is returned from the disk drive 34, and when a new image file is not created, a NOT READY signal is returned to the disk drive 34. Will be returned from Therefore, in step S117, it is determined whether either the READY signal or the NOT READY signal has been returned.

If NO is determined in the step S117, the file pointer FP is advanced by "PIC-SIZE" in a step S119, and the process shifts to a step S135. When a continuous photographing operation is performed during the file division processing for the focused combined file, and the file division processing for the focused combined file is restarted thereafter, the processing in step S119 is performed.

On the other hand, if YES is determined in the step S117, the opening of the new image file is requested to the disk drive 34 in a step S121, and in step S123, the file image exists after the file destination of FP. The data of PIC—SIZE ”is transferred from the magneto-optical disk 36 to the SDRAM 26. In the first process of step S123, JPEG data 0 is transferred to the SDRAM 26. In step S125, the file pointer FP is advanced by "PIC-SIZE", and in step S127, a JPEG header including the shooting condition information read in the immediately preceding step S111 is created. In step S129, the disk drive 34 is requested to store the created JPEG header in the new image file. In step S131, the JPEG data read in the immediately preceding step S123 is stored in the new image file. Is requested to the disk drive 34, and the close of the new image file is requested to the disk drive 34 in step S133.

In any of steps S121, S129, S131 and S133, when the READY signal is returned from the disk drive 34, the processing proceeds to the next step. In steps S105, S111, and S123, desired data is read from the data area 36c based on the FAT information of the combined file written in the FAT area 36a.

In step S135, the point destination of the file pointer FP is determined. If the point exists after the end of the combined file, the disk drive 34 is requested to close the combined file in step S137, and the disk drive 34 is requested to delete the combined file in step S139. Upon completion of the process in step S139, the process returns to step S101. Step S137 In each of S139 and S139, the process proceeds to the next step when the READY signal is returned from the disk drive 34.

If the FP point is before the end of the combined file, the process proceeds from step S135 to step S141, and the flag REC—ENA is set to allow continuous shooting processing. Is done. In step S144, the state of flag SUSPEND is determined. If it is SUSPEND-0, it is considered that the file division processing can be continued, and the processing returns to step S105 after resetting the flag REC-ENA in step S145. On the other hand, if SUSPEND: 1, it is considered that the file division process has to be interrupted, and the disk drive 34 is requested to close the combined file in step S147. When a READY signal is returned in response to this request, the processing ends.

As can be understood from the above description, first, a combined file including JPEG data of a plurality of frames stored in the SD RAM is created in the data area 36 c of the magneto-optical disk 36, and the FAT for managing the combined file is created. Information is created in the FAT area 36a of the magneto-optical disk 36, and the size information of the subdirectory to which the combined file belongs is updated in the root directory area 36b. The JPEG data included in the combined file is read out frame by frame based on the directory entry and the FAT information of the combined file when the continuous shooting operation is not performed. The read JPEG data of each frame is stored in the image file formed in the data area 36c, and when the creation of the image file is completed, the FAT information of the image file is written in the FAT area 36a. It is.

The number of frames (= 40) of the JPEG data included in the combined file is larger than the number of frames (= 1) of the JPEG data included in the image file. In other words, the number of combined files (= 1) is smaller than the number of image files (= 40). When writing FAT information and size information, it is necessary to move the magnetic head 34 b and the optical pickup 34 c to the FAT area 36 a and the root directory area 36 b, which is necessary for creating an image file. The time is significantly longer than the time required to create the join file.

That is, one combined file is created in the data area 36c, and the combined file is created. The processing time required to create the FAT information in the FAT area 36a and update the size information of the sub-directory to which the combined file belongs in the root directory area 36b is 40 image files. Create the FAT information in the area 36c, create the FAT information of the image file in the FAT area 36a, and update the size information of the subdirectory to which the image file belongs in the root directory area 36b. It is shorter than required time. As a result, the SD RAM 26 can be quickly released.

Also, since the FAT information of the combined file is written to the FAT area 36a of the magneto-optical disk 36, recording and deletion to the magneto-optical disk 36 are performed by another device, and then the disk drive 34 is mounted. In this case, 40 image files can be created appropriately. If the recording medium is a built-in type, the FAT information of the combined file may be written to the internal memory (preferably, the nonvolatile memory). Since the FAT information and the size information are updated each time one image file is created, it is possible to interrupt / restart the image file creation processing. This makes it possible to enhance the response characteristics (flexibility) of the continuous shooting operation.

In this embodiment, the FAT method is adopted as the file management method, but a UDF (Universal Disc Format) method may be adopted instead. In this embodiment, JPEG data for one frame is stored in the image file. However, as long as the number of frames is smaller than the number of frames of JPEG data included in the combined file, the number of frames included in each image file may be plural, and the number of frames may not be the same between image files.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clear that it has been used by way of example only, and not by way of illustration, and should not be construed as an inferiority. Limited only by the language of the appended claims.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An image recording device comprising:

First file creation means for creating a first file containing M (M≥2) image signals stored in the buffer memory in a temporary storage area of a recording medium;

First management information creating means for creating first management information for managing the first file; when a predetermined condition is satisfied, an image signal is converted from the first file to N (N × M) based on the first management information. Reading means for reading out one by one;

Second file creation means for creating a second file including the N image signals read by the reading means in the data area; and

Second management information creating means for creating second file management information for managing the second file in a management area of the recording medium.

2. An image recording device dependent on claim 1, wherein

The recording medium is detachable,

The first file management information creating means creates the first file management information in the management area.

3. An image recording device dependent on claim 1 or 2,

The second file management information creating means creates the second file management information each time the creation of the second file is performed once,

The apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the predetermined condition is satisfied each time the second file management information is created once.

4. An image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving means receives an instruction to capture an image signal;

Capturing means for capturing an image signal into the buffer memory in response to the capturing instruction,

The predetermined condition includes a condition that the capture instruction has not been received.

5. An image recording device dependent on claim 4, wherein

The capturing means captures the M image signals in response to the capturing instruction.

6. An image recording device dependent on any of claims 1 to 5, wherein The recording medium is a disk recording medium in which the data area and the management area are divided in the radial direction.

The apparatus further includes a movable recording member that moves between the data area and the management area.

7. A digital camera comprising the image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.